What's happened
The London Bullion Market Association has been sued by families of two Tanzanian miners who died at North Mara in 2019. The case argues LBMA’s certification of gold as “responsible” assisted ongoing rights abuses, challenging the Good Delivery system that anchors London’s $1-trillion-a-week bullion market.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The case challenges a 276-year-old system governing London’s gold trades, potentially redefining liability in the supply chain.
- Leigh Day argues that re-certifying a refinery processing North Mara gold in 2019 cloaked ongoing abuses; LBMA contends it bears no duty of care for mine-level actions.
- The outcome could spur broader claims against certification bodies if courts find a duty of care or failing to flag severe human rights issues.
- This matters for readers who rely on responsibly sourced metals and for companies that disclose supply chains under evolving due-diligence regimes.
- Expect focus on audit transparency, supplier disclosures, and whether regulators require stricter laws to enforce human rights protections in global supply chains.
How we got here
The lawsuit puts LBMA’s Responsible Gold Guidance under scrutiny as it examines whether certification practices aligned with due-diligence standards. The North Mara mine, owned by Barrick Gold, has seen allegations of police use of lethal force against trespassers and miners. LBMA defends its role, noting that its guidance does not guarantee outcomes and that audits have historically focused on responsible sourcing rather than broad human rights impacts.
Our analysis
According to Bloomberg, All Africa, and Reuters, the case centers on LBMA’s liability around the Good Delivery List and Responsible Gold Guidance. Bloomberg notes the trial could spotlight LBMA’s influence in the $1-trillion-a-week market; All Africa highlights ongoing concerns at North Mara and past HR issues; Reuters frames the case as a test of duty of care and the Good Delivery system’s future. The pieces collectively suggest a push toward greater transparency and possible regulatory reform.
Go deeper
- Will the LBMA’s defense hinge on limiting its responsibility to certification rather than mining site conduct?
- Could this case accelerate new due-diligence laws for precious metals markets?
- What disclosures might refiners be required to publish as a result of this litigation?
More on these topics
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Tanzania - Country in East Africa
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the
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Barrick Gold - Company
Barrick Gold Corporation is a mining company that produces gold and copper with 16 operating sites in 13 countries.. It is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It has mining operations in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic
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London - Capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom
London is the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.1 million. London stands on the River...